WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023

December 15, 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a 5% decrease in annual road traffic deaths worldwide from 2010 to 2021, totaling 1.19 million fatalities. However, India experienced a concerning 15% increase in fatalities during the same period.

India’s Alarming Increase

According to the WHO’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, India witnessed a rise in road traffic fatalities from 1.34 lakh in 2010 to 1.54 lakh in 2021, reflecting a 15% increase. This contrasts with 108 UN member nations that reported a decrease in road traffic deaths.

Leading Nations in Reduction

Ten countries, including Belarus, Denmark, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, successfully reduced road traffic deaths by over 50%. Additionally, 35 countries achieved notable progress, experiencing a reduction in fatalities ranging from 30% to 50%.

Impact on Children and Youth

As of 2019, road traffic crashes have become the leading cause of death for children and youth aged five to 29 years, ranking as the 12th leading cause of death across all age groups. Two-thirds of these deaths occur among people of working age.

Positive Global Decline

Despite a 5% reduction in absolute numbers of road traffic fatalities, the global population grew by nearly 14 billion in the last decade. This resulted in a 16% decline in the road traffic death rate, decreasing from 18 per 1 lakh people in 2010 to 15 per 1 lakh in 2021.

Vehicle Fleet Growth and Fatality Rates

The global motor vehicle fleet increased by 160% since 2010. Consequently, annual fatality rates per 1 lakh vehicles dropped from 79 deaths to 47 deaths, marking a 41% reduction.

Regional Distribution of Deaths

The report highlights regional disparities, with 28% of global road traffic deaths occurring in the WHO’s South-East Asia Region. Other significant contributions come from the Western Pacific Region (25%), the African Region (19%), the Region of the Americas (12%), the Eastern Mediterranean Region (11%), and the European Region (5%).

Disproportionate Impact in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The risk of death is three times higher in low-income countries compared to high-income countries, yet low-income countries account for only 1% of the world’s motor vehicles. Nine in 10 deaths globally occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Distribution of Fatalities by User Category

Globally, four-wheel vehicle occupants constitute 30% of fatalities, pedestrians make up 23%, and powered two- and three-wheeler users contribute 21%. Cyclists and users of micro-mobility devices, including e-scooters, account for 6% and 3% of fatalities, respectively.

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